U.S. patent application number 10/395793 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-18 for multi-layer tacky and water-absorbing shoe-cleaning product.
Invention is credited to Blum, Bradley J., Blum, Ronald D., Duston, Dwight P., Gentiluomo, Andrew, Kokonaski, William, Kopf, Peter W., Thibodeau, Joseph A..
Application Number | 20030232554 10/395793 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29741138 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030232554 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blum, Ronald D. ; et
al. |
December 18, 2003 |
Multi-layer tacky and water-absorbing shoe-cleaning product
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention relate to shoe-cleaning
product comprising a first or top water-absorbing layer having a
tacky top exposed surface. The water-absorbing layer is adjacent to
a water-resistant layer. An apparatus for dispensing the
shoe-cleaning material, and an apparatus comprising the
shoe-cleaning material in combination with a floor covering, are
also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Blum, Ronald D.; (Roanoke,
VA) ; Kokonaski, William; (Gig Harbor, WA) ;
Gentiluomo, Andrew; (Roanoke, VA) ; Thibodeau, Joseph
A.; (Roanoke, VA) ; Blum, Bradley J.;
(Roanoke, VA) ; Duston, Dwight P.; (Laguna Niguel,
CA) ; Kopf, Peter W.; (Sudbury, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William E. Curry
KENYON & KENYON
Suite #700
1500 K Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
29741138 |
Appl. No.: |
10/395793 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10395793 |
Mar 25, 2003 |
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09985456 |
Nov 2, 2001 |
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10395793 |
Mar 25, 2003 |
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09553234 |
Apr 19, 2000 |
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6233776 |
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10395793 |
Mar 25, 2003 |
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09418752 |
Oct 15, 1999 |
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10395793 |
Mar 25, 2003 |
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09304051 |
May 4, 1999 |
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6219876 |
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60366541 |
Mar 25, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
442/76 ;
442/86 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 442/2139 20150401;
A47L 23/22 20130101; G09F 19/22 20130101; A47L 23/266 20130101;
Y10T 442/2221 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
442/76 ;
442/86 |
International
Class: |
B32B 027/04; B32B
005/18; B32B 027/12; B32B 005/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shoe-cleaning product, comprising: a first layer comprising
water-absorbing material and having a porous top tacky surface; and
a second layer comprising water-resistant material, adjacent to the
first layer.
2. The shoe-cleaning product of claim 1, wherein the product
includes at least one of a cleaning solution and an antibacterial
agent.
3. The shoe-cleaning product of claim 1, wherein the product has
electrostatic properties.
4. The shoe-cleaning product of claim 1, the first and second
layers forming a composite unitary member.
5. The shoe-cleaning product of claim 4, wherein the product is
configured as a plurality of the members separably arranged in a
stack.
6. The shoe-cleaning product of claim 4, wherein the member
comprises at least one opening therethrough configured to receive
at least one anti-slip component of a base portion.
7. The shoe-cleaning product of claim 4, wherein the member
comprises a tab for facilitating manipulation of the member.
8. The shoe-cleaning product of claim 6, further comprising the
base portion, the at least one anti-slip component of the base
portion engaging the member via the at least one opening.
9. The shoe-cleaning product of claim 4, the first layer including
at least one anti-slip component on a top exposed surface
thereof.
10. An apparatus comprising: a housing configured to receive a
shoe-cleaning product for, the housing comprising: a backing
portion having a bottom part configured for engaging a surface of a
floor, and an upper part that forms a holder space; and a movable
frame part that cooperates with the upper part of the backing
portion to secure a shoe-cleaning material in the holder space and
frame an area of the holder space that is at least large enough to
accommodate a pair of adult-sized shoes; wherein the housing is
configured to be arranged on a floor and to be stepped or walked
on.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a mechanism for
dispensing the shoe-cleaning product.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mechanism comprises at
least one roller configured to retain an extent of the
shoe-cleaning product in roll form.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mechanism comprises a
cutting edge for separating a first extent of the shoe-cleaning
product from a second extent of the shoe-cleaning product retained
within the housing.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, the movable frame part being
rotatably coupled to the upper part of the backing portion and
having a cutting edge thereon that may be brought into engagement
with a shoe-cleaning product received within the holder space.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a shoe-cleaning
product received within the housing, the shoe-cleaning product
including a first layer comprising water-absorbing material and
having a top tacky exposed surface, and a second layer comprising
water-resistant material, adjacent to the first layer.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising compressing or
frictional members for securing a shoe-cleaning material within the
holder space and preventing slipping on the shoe-cleaning material
when it is wet.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the compressing or
frictional members are formed as transverse members disposed across
the frame part.
18. An apparatus comprising: a floor covering; and a shoe-cleaning
product associated with the floor covering, the shoe-cleaning
product including a first layer comprising porous water-absorbing
material and having a top tacky exposed surface, and a second layer
comprising water-resistant material, adjacent to the first
layer.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, the floor covering forming an outer
perimeter of the shoe-cleaning product and including at least one
of a water dissipating and a water absorbing capability.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, the outer perimeter including at
least one of carpet, sisal, fabric and rubber.
21. The apparatus of claim 18, the floor covering including an area
configured to receive the shoe-cleaning product, the area having at
least one anti-slip component cooperating with the shoe-cleaning
product.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, the shoe-cleaning product having at
least one opening therethrough configured to engage the at least
one anti-slip component.
23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the product is configured as
a plurality of members separably arranged in a stack.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein each member comprises a tab
for facilitating manipulation of the member.
25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one anti-slip
component is formed as a tread.
26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one anti-slip
component is formed as a nodular element.
27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the area is in approximately
the center of the floor covering.
28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the area is off-center with
respect to the floor covering.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC section
119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 60/366,541, filed Mar.
25, 2002. Further, this application is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. application serial no. 985,456, filed Nov. 2, 2001. Further,
this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/553,234, filed Apr. 19, 2000 and issued May 22, 2001 as U.S.
Pat. No. 6,233,776. application Ser. No. 09/553,234 is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/418,752, filed
Oct. 15, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application
Ser. No. 09/304,051, filed May 4, 1999 and issued Apr. 24, 2001 as
U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,876.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a product for cleaning
shoes. More specifically, it relates to a product comprising a
first or upper layer of material that is both water-absorbing and
tacky, and a second or lower layer adjacent to the upper layer that
is water-resistant.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Tacky materials used for cleaning shoes are known. For
example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,876 B1, which is fully
incorporated herein by reference, tacky surfaces are used in floor
mats near an entryway to a home, business, or commercial
establishment. Although they are primarily designed for use near an
entryway which leads directly to the outside weather elements
existing tacky surfaces currently lack the capability for absorbing
or transmitting water to any appreciable degree. In order to
increase the overall effectiveness of such tacky surfaces, when
exposed to the wet sole of a shoe, there is a need for
shoe-cleaning materials utilizing a tacky surface that will allow
for water absorption. Moreover, it would be advantageous to provide
such a tacky surface material with a water-resistant surface on the
other side from the tacky, water-absorbing surface, in order to
shield objects from moisture in the water-absorbing portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1A shows a two-layer shoe-cleaning product according to
an embodiment of the invention;
[0005] FIG. 1B shows the product arranged as sheets in a stack;
[0006] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the shoe-cleaning product with
openings to engage an anti-slip component;
[0007] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the shoe-cleaning product in
combination with a base portion having anti-slip components;
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment where anti-slip components
are formed on a top exposed surface of the shoe-cleaning
product;
[0009] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 in combination with a
base portion;
[0010] FIG. 6 shows a dispensing apparatus for use with the
shoe-cleaning product;
[0011] FIGS. 7A and 7B show the shoe-cleaning product in
combination with a floor covering; and
[0012] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the shoe-cleaning
product in combination with a floor covering.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] In consideration of the above, embodiments of the present
invention relate to a shoe-cleaning product comprising a first
layer that includes a water-absorbing material and having a porous
top tacky exposed surface, and a second layer comprising
water-resistant material, adjacent to the first layer. The
tackiness of the porous top surface enhances its ability to remove
dirt while its porosity enables transmitting water into the bulk of
the water-absorbing material just below the surface. Moreover, the
water-absorbing capability extends the usefulness the product to
applications that are near an outdoor area, such as just inside an
entry where wet shoes are more likely to be encountered. The
second, water-resistant layer protects objects and surfaces which
may be under the water-absorbing layer, as discussed in more detail
below.
[0014] To facilitate its use in shoe-cleaning applications, in
embodiments the product could be used in association with a
dispensing apparatus capable of being stepped and walked on. As
described in more detail below, such an apparatus could comprise at
least a housing configured to receive the shoe-cleaning product,
and one or more mechanisms for securing and/or dispensing the
product.
[0015] The shoe-cleaning product could be used independently, for
example in the form of a stack of sheets placed on a backing or
base on a floor, or could be used in combination with more
traditional floor coverings. For example, the shoe-cleaning product
could form part of the top exposed surface of a floor covering that
also included surfaces such as carpeting, sisal, fabric, rubber,
plastic or the like.
[0016] FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1A is a side orthogonal view of a shoe-cleaning product 100
comprising a first or top layer 110 of water-absorbing material.
The top layer 110 may have a porous top tacky exposed surface. Such
a porous, tacky surface could be formed, for example, by applying
an adhesive to a water-absorbing material having a substantially
coarse texture or weave, so that applying the adhesive did not clog
or block small openings or pores distributed through the material.
Alternatively, a non-porous tacky surface could first be applied to
the water-absorbing layer and pores could be formed in the tacky
surface thereafter. The water-absorbing layer 110 could be formed
from, for example, woven or non-woven fabrics comprising natural or
man-made fibers, paper towels, sponge or cloth. To aid in cleaning,
the water-absorbing layer may be impregnated with a cleaning
solution such as dry water-soluble mild detergents. The cleaning
solution, and adhesives for making the top exposed surface tacky,
may include anti-bacterial agents for better sanitation. If the
water-absorbing layer is impregnated with a cleaning solution, the
solution may include additives to help prevent the solution from
evaporating. Water-binding materials for slowing evaporation are
well known and include, for example, hydrolyzed cellulose,
hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrite, and PVA (polyvinylalcohol). The first
layer could also be treated to give it electrostatic properties
when dry, to cause it to attract dirt when dry.
[0017] Adjacent to the first or water-absorbing layer 110 is a
second or lower layer 120 that is water-resistant (i.e., does not
transfer water). The water-resistant layer 120 could be formed as,
for example, a thin film comprising plastics, including polymers
such as polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene. Additionally or
alternatively, the thin film could comprise rubber or rubber-like
materials such as silicone rubber, polyurethane, or latex. Such a
water-resistant layer may also be sprayed or otherwise coated onto
the water-absorbing layer and then cured in-situ. Any other
waterblocking/water-resistant materials could also be used for the
water-resistant layer. The water-resistant layer could be bonded to
the water-absorbing layer, for example with an adhesive or glue,
thermally bonded, or bonded by way of light curable resins. The
water-absorbing layer could be laminated to the water-resistant
layer when the water-resistant layer is being extruded or formed.
Other materials which could be used in forming the shoe-cleaning
product include materials as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,517,
which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
[0018] The first and second layers may be formed into a composite
unitary member, e.g., by bonding together as described above and
cutting to a predetermined size and shape. They can also be formed
in-situ. FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of the shoe-cleaning product
100 where the product has been formed into a plurality of composite
unitary members or sheets and arranged as a stack 130. The sheets
may be separable SO that they can be used in a serial fashion. More
specifically, the stack may be placed on a floor, and a top sheet
thereof may be used for cleaning shoes until it is soiled. The top
sheet may then be removed and disposed of, to expose a clean sheet
below for use until it, in turn, is disposed of. An advantage of
the water-resistant layer 120 in this configuration is that it acts
as a barrier to prevent water from a top exposed water-absorbing
layer from passing through to contaminate or soil sheets below.
Also, it may make sheets in a stack easier to separate. Further, if
the water-absorbing layer is impregnated with a cleaning solution,
it may help to slow or prevent evaporation of the cleaning
solution.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a view from above of an embodiment 200 wherein
a sheet of shoe-cleaning product 100 may have openings 230 formed
therein to receive an anti-slip component of a base portion that
may be used in combination with the shoe-cleaning product. A sheet
may have a tab 220 to facilitate manipulation of the sheet, in
particular, for example, to make it easier remove from a stack. The
sheet of cleaning product could be large enough to accommodate a
pair of adult shoes thereon.
[0020] FIG. 3A shows a view from above of an embodiment 300 wherein
the embodiment of FIG. 2 is associated with a base portion 310. The
base portion 310 comprises anti-slip components 320, which may be
formed as elongated treads, to help prevent a person from slipping
on the shoe-cleaning product 200 when it or the person's shoes are
wet. An anti-slip component may take other forms, as described
later. FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustrating how a sheet of
shoe-cleaning product 200 with openings 320 may be removably
associated with the base portion 310. The base portion may have a
border 330 that extends beyond a surface area of the shoe-cleaning
product 200, and the shoe-cleaning product may be removably
received within the border. The border 330 could be raised to help
secure the shoe-cleaning product, but need not be. The openings 230
are adapted to engage corresponding anti-slip components 320 of the
base portion, which would also help to secure the shoe-cleaning
product to the base portion and prevent it from deforming, e.g.,
bunching at one end, when it is used. A bottom surface of the
shoe-cleaning product could have adhesive thereon to help secure it
to the base portion. Sheets of the shoe-cleaning product 200 could
be arranged in a stack and placed in or on the base portion.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment 400 wherein a sheet
of shoe-cleaning product 100 has anti-slip components 410 on its
top exposed surface, as opposed to openings for engaging anti-slip
components of a base portion. In such an embodiment, strips of an
anti-slip material 410 such as, by way of example only, treads,
thin strips of rubber, or thin adhesive strips containing grit or
abrasives such as fine sand, silica or other high friction
materials, could be bonded directly to the top exposed surface.
When utilizing a tread as an anti-slip component, the tread can be
round, oval, square, rectangular, diamond, or virtually any other
shape. The sheet of shoe-cleaning product, or at least, the bottom
sheet of a stack of sheets, could be provided with a bottom nonskid
surface. This could eliminate the need for a separate base portion
and thus provide a shoe-cleaning mechanism that was entirely
disposable. On the other hand, the embodiment of FIG. 4 could be
used in combination with a base portion 510, as shown in FIG. 5
illustrating embodiment 500. Base portion 510 could be formed along
the same lines as base portion 410, except that it would not have
anti-slip components since these would be on the surface of the
shoe-cleaning product.
[0022] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the
shoe-cleaning product 100 could be formed as a continuous extent or
roll of material and used with a dispensing apparatus. FIG. 6 shows
such an embodiment. In FIG. 6, an apparatus 600 comprises a housing
605 configured to receive the shoe-cleaning product 100 in a
continuous or roll form. The housing may comprise a backing portion
645 having a bottom part configured for engaging a surface of a
floor (for example, the bottom part may have a non-skid surface),
and an upper part that forms a holder space 640. The housing may
further comprise a movable frame part 612 that cooperates with the
upper part of the backing portion via, for example, a hinge 615, to
secure the shoe-cleaning material in the holder space. The movable
frame part may be rotatable about the hinge 615 and adapted to
engage the backing portion and an extent of the shoe-cleaning
product, to secure the shoe-cleaning product within the
housing.
[0023] When brought into engagement with the backing portion, the
movable frame part may frame an area of the holder space that is at
least large enough to accommodate a pair of adult-sized shoes. The
movable frame part may have a handle 635. The apparatus may further
include compressing or frictional members 647 for securing the
shoe-cleaning material in place and helping to prevent slipping on
the shoe-cleaning material when it is wet. The members 647 could be
formed as transverse members as shown in FIG. 6, disposed across
the frame part 612 so as to extend across the holder space when the
frame part is brought into engagement with the backing portion,
while leaving areas of the shoe-cleaning material exposed for
contacting the soles of shoes. However, other configurations of
members for further securing the shoe-cleaning material and
providing an anti-slip function are possible. The apparatus may be
sufficiently rugged and low to the ground that it may be easily and
repeatedly stepped on or walked over.
[0024] The apparatus may further include a mechanism for dispensing
the shoe-cleaning product. For example, the shoe-cleaning product
could be in the form of a roll, and a roller 620 could be provided
for retaining a roll of the shoe-cleaning product. An extent of the
shoe-cleaning product exposed within the holder space of the
apparatus could be used until it was soiled, and then a clean,
unused extent 625 of the product could be advanced from the roll by
pulling on one end of the roll. The dispensing mechanism could
further include a cutting edge for separating the used extent from
the unused extent. For example, a cutting edge 610 could be formed
on the movable frame part 612 to cut through the shoe-cleaning
product to separate the used extent from the unused extent.
Alternatively, a straight, rigid edge of some kind could be
provided at an end of the holder space, and the used extent could
be separated from the unused extent by simply pulling up the
product against the straight edge.
[0025] A dispensing apparatus as described above may be
advantageous in that it reduces manufacturing costs: i.e., the
shoe-cleaning product need not be formed into separate sheets, or
stacked, or have tabs applied. When used with such a dispensing
apparatus, the second, water-resistant layer of the product
prevents moisture from being transferred from the first layer onto
the apparatus, keeping it dry and thus avoiding wetting a
newly-advanced extent. The water-resistant layer could also help to
keep the material in a roll from sticking together due to the
tackiness of the first layer. Additionally, in applications where
the water-absorbing layer was impregnated with a dry water-soluble
cleaner, the water-resistant layer could help to slow or prevent
evaporation of the cleaning solution.
[0026] FIG. 7A illustrates yet another embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 7A, an apparatus 700 comprises a shoe-cleaning
product 720 associated with a floor covering 710. The shoe-cleaning
product 720 could have any of the various forms discussed above:
i.e., for example, it could have openings to engage anti-slip
components, or could have anti-slip components on its top exposed
surface. The shoe-cleaning product 720 could be formed as a
plurality of separable members in a stack, each with tabs.
[0027] The floor covering 710 could form an outer perimeter 730 of
the shoe-cleaning product. This outer perimeter may include floor
covering materials such as, for example, carpet, sisal, fabric or
rubber. The outer perimeter may serve to provide additional water
absorbing or dissipating capacity, and may produce a more
aesthetically pleasing result. At least a portion of the outer
perimeter may be large enough to accommodate a pair of adult shoes
thereon.
[0028] The shoe-cleaning product 720 may be removably received
within an area 715 of the floor covering 710. For example, area 715
may be a recess as shown in cross-sectional view 7B. The anti-slip
component 725 as shown in FIG. 7B could be, as noted above, formed
on a top exposed surface of the shoe-cleaning product.
Alternatively, the anti-slip component 725 could be formed in the
area 715 of the floor covering, and engage an opening in the
shoe-cleaning product. As shown in FIG. 7A, the area 715 may be in
approximately the center of the floor covering 710.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment. In FIG. 8, apparatus
800 comprises a shoe-cleaning product 720 associated with a floor
covering 710, where anti-slip components 810 are nodular rather
than elongated treads. In example of FIG. 8, the anti-slip
components appear as small diamond shapes, but any shape, size or
pattern for anti-slip components is considered to be within the
scope of the present invention.
[0030] Further, the shoe-cleaning product may be removably received
within an area 815 of the floor covering, where the area 815 is
off-center with respect to the floor covering. This arrangement may
leave a region of floor covering material 730 that is at least
large enough to accommodate a pair of adult shoes.
[0031] Several embodiments of the present invention are
specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will
be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present
invention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview
of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and
intended scope of the invention.
* * * * *